After the signing of Karlos Dansby it seems that many people think we are secure at ILB. I disagree because Dansby is the present and McClain is the future. I feel that getting Dansby should not change our focus on the draft especially with a talent like McClain. He ran in the 4.6 at his pro day and measured at 6'4" 259lbs. We all know his football brain, the kid was the leader of the best defense in college football for the past 3 years starting at 18yrs old. He is only 20yrs old right now. I say we take McClain in the 1st, hopefully Hughes in the 2nd or Cody and the best available OLB with the 3rd. If our FO does it's homework a truely gifted WR can be had in the 4th round.

After the signing of Karlos Dansby it seems that many people think we are secure at ILB. I disagree because Dansby is the present and McClain is the future. I feel that getting Dansby should not change our focus on the draft especially with a talent like McClain. He ran in the 4.6 at his pro day and measured at 6'4" 259lbs. We all know his football brain, the kid was the leader of the best defense in college football for the past 3 years starting at 18yrs old. He is only 20yrs old right now. I say we take McClain in the 1st, hopefully Hughes in the 2nd or Cody and the best available OLB with the 3rd. If our FO does it's homework a truely gifted WR can be had in the 4th round.

Ok go ahead and disagree with me.....

I like what your proposed plan does for our defense... but I think leaving the glaring hole at receiver to chance in the 4th round is not gonna be enough to get this offense over the hump. Its likely going to take someone better than a 4th rounder to fix our deficiencies in the passing game.

_________________"Don Shula is the only coach I've ever met who can take his'n and beat your'n, and then take your'n and beat his'n." -Bum Phillips

Why draft a player for the future with #12 rather than a player that will come in and fill a hole and make an impact right now?

because he is more than just a player, i think he is going to be something special and i hope our FO feels the same way. who do you want to see them take?

I personally would like to see them trade to the bottom of the 1st and get another pick and draft one of the NT's, or get Dan Williams with 12 if we have to. Or an OLB, but I think NT has to be top priority.

McClain is the absolute pick that we cannot pass on. I've said it before and I'll say it again. McClain is a well rounded LINEBACKER. I emphasize the word LINEBACKER because to be quite honest with you he could actually play all four LB positions. It would be to our advantage if he could line up with Dansby, Crowder and hopefully JT. Putting McClain as an OLB wouldn't be a bad idea because he has that rare ability and knowledge to really make things disruptive on the edge and in coverage.

Why draft a player for the future with #12 rather than a player that will come in and fill a hole and make an impact right now?

Why would you assume he can't make an impact right now?

ILB is one of the few positions where guys can come in and make an impact right away. Add to that he played in an NFL-style 3-4 defense under Saban, and I think it's a no-brainer. If he is available at 12, and there isn't a guy who simply fell to us who should have been picked much higher, you take him.

_________________A good RB is nice, a good QB even better, but it's best to be able to stop someone first.

Why draft a player for the future with #12 rather than a player that will come in and fill a hole and make an impact right now?

Why would you assume he can't make an impact right now?

ILB is one of the few positions where guys can come in and make an impact right away. Add to that he played in an NFL-style 3-4 defense under Saban, and I think it's a no-brainer. If he is available at 12, and there isn't a guy who simply fell to us who should have been picked much higher, you take him.

I didn't say that he couldn't make an impact right now, I'm sure that he can. I was referring to what the OP said about drafting him for the future. Come to think of it, perhaps we draft McClain and end up trading Crowder for picks, I'd be fine with that. But in our current situation I think we have too many holes to draft a ILB in the first.

Why draft a player for the future with #12 rather than a player that will come in and fill a hole and make an impact right now?

Why would you assume he can't make an impact right now?

ILB is one of the few positions where guys can come in and make an impact right away. Add to that he played in an NFL-style 3-4 defense under Saban, and I think it's a no-brainer. If he is available at 12, and there isn't a guy who simply fell to us who should have been picked much higher, you take him.

I didn't say that he couldn't make an impact right now, I'm sure that he can. I was referring to what the OP said about drafting him for the future. Come to think of it, perhaps we draft McClain and end up trading Crowder for picks, I'd be fine with that. But in our current situation I think we have too many holes to draft a ILB in the first.

That's exactly the scenario I was hoping for! Maybe one of the bottom half teams like the Rams, Browns or Bucs would have interest in Crowder and be willing to give up a 4th or 5th rounder. I've watched Crowder since his rookie year and his playmaking ability has decreased every year. I don't know that statistically but look at our Defense and who on it will an Offense have to gameplan for?........NOBODY! Maybe Dansby now but for all the money we paid that guy he NEVER made the Pro Bowl. I just believe if we don't pick McClain we will regret it for the next 10 years.

Why draft a player for the future with #12 rather than a player that will come in and fill a hole and make an impact right now?

because he is more than just a player, i think he is going to be something special and i hope our FO feels the same way. who do you want to see them take?

I personally would like to see them trade to the bottom of the 1st and get another pick and draft one of the NT's, or get Dan Williams with 12 if we have to. Or an OLB, but I think NT has to be top priority.

my sentiments exact, as even though 12 may be kinda high for any of the NT's available, we can ill afford to have a glaring hole at NT come opening day. I'd rather over pay for a NT and stand a chance to field a good team rather than play Russian-roulette and draft a BPA and hope the center piece of any functional 34 defense just happens to fall to us later. ideal situation is McClain is there at 12 and somebody is wanting him bad enough to move up for him and we can move back somewhere's around #17-20 and pick up a dan williams or terrance cody there for less and end up with an extra pick in a deep draft

I must say I didnt follow him too much through out the year, but after watching video of him and his pro day....this kid is a beast. He is also a lot bigger than I thought. He moves around to freely and comfortable for his size. I dont want to call him the next Patrick Willis, but he seems to be a pretty special kid. I hate to talk about the SEC cuz Im a canes fan, but he did play against top notch competition week in and week out. Wouldnt mind seeing him in the ole aqua and orange.

... have interest in Crowder and be willing to give up a 4th or 5th rounder.

Sorry, Crowder isn't bad in the middle and he signed a salary cap friendly contract for a starting ILB. I would not be for giving him away.

I agree with you but the fact that all you could say about Crowder was "isn't bad in the middle" is a problem. ILB needs to be our strength on defense. The Steelers are the cream of the crop when it comes to a 3-4 D and they have 4 outstanding LB's.

He was held to no catches against Missouri State. Against a good defense in Texas he had no TD's and 6 catches. He got his TD's in bundles against bad defenses, his most coming from an ISU team that didn't win a single conference game...he grabbed 4 scores.Not all that impressive, and his inconsistency is worse than Ginn's in college...and we saw how that transferred over.So add that into his prima donna and immature attitude along with the fact that he hasn't done anything performance wise since September of last year I would think this guy isn't even worthy of a 1st round grade let alone a top 15 pick.